At KS4, there has been a gradually burgeoning number of types of educational visits – foreign language school exchanges, cultural visits all over Europe and further afield, sports competitions, youth conferences, winter sports and adventurous activities in more extreme environments. The Duke of Edinburgh Award becomes available at 14 years old and continues to be offered for those up to 24 years of age, and pupils of many ages start work on specialist awards in areas such as mountaineering, sailing and river sports. This increase in venue variety has led to a proliferation of specialist companies catering for these activities.
The aims of history trips tend to be more focused in KS4, with study trips to the 1940 Dunkirk evacuation and the 1944 Normandy Landings often proving popular along with the 1815 Waterloo battlefield. Venues of this type are often catered for by specialist travel companies to ensure participants get the best experience available.
A lot of schools have a tradition of school trips with their choirs, orchestras and musical/theatre students. There are specialist companies that can help any school wishing to explore this possibility, and many venues have tailored activities for groups that can help improve performers’ confidence and motivation.
British schools have been the forerunners in Europe for undertaking challenging outdoor activities both at home and abroad (you can visit here for good list of activities and gateway sites) but there is a notable increase of interest at KS4 in science-based trips – most notably the Science and National History museums in London, the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, the National Railway Museum in York, Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre in Macclesfield, Techniquest in Cardiff, and the Bristol Science Centre, all of which have reported an increase in visitors in recent years.
The ruins of Balmerino Abbey are a fine example of a 13th-century Cistercian monastery. The Abbey was founded in 1229, and became a dwelling house of the lords Balmerino after secularisation in 1603.
School groups are welcome by arrangement through Hill of Tarvit Mansionhouse. Talks can be arranged on history, crafts and wild herbs, as used by the monks.
Opened in 1831, Dublin Zoo is one of the world's oldest and most popular zoos. It has been transformed in recent decades into a 28 hectare park of gardens, lakes and wonderful natural habitats for over 400 animals.
Many are rare species and their survival in the wild is under threat so many of our animals are part of international breeding programmes for endangered species.
Situated just to the north of Liverpool, Crosby Beach is now the permanent home to ‘Another Place’, the sculpture by internationally acclaimed artist, Antony Gormley. The beach has been awarded the Quality Coast Award by Keep Britain Tidy. The QCA award tells visitors that the standards of beach management are of the highest quality in the UK.
700-year-old home of Elizabethan seafarers Drake and Grenville.
In the 13th century, Buckland Abbey was home to the Cistercian monks who built the abbey and the incredible Great Barn and farmed the then vast estate.
Welcome to Exeter Cathedral, one of the great cathedrals of England, and one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture anywhere. This is a very exciting time in the life of the Cathedral; a time of development and change as we work hard to improve facilities and the experience people have when they visit.
The name Parliament Piece is believed to relate to Henry III's parliament, which met in Kenilworth in 1266. There is, however, no evidence that the site was actually used by the parliament. The pond and other depressions are probably the remains of old marl or clay pits.
Today, Witley Court is a large and impressive ruin, but 100 years ago it was in spectacular condition.
The rich industrialist Sir Herbert Smith bought the house in 1920 and lived there for 17 years until a devastating fire broke out in September 1937 while he was away.
The historic Linacre Reservoirs provide the perfect setting for a quiet, relaxing day out. A network of trails and footpaths crisscross the valley. Visitors can explore ancient beech and oak woodlands or follow the course of the Holme Brook as it cascades down the valley.
Unspoilt, rolling hills – that’s what you will discover at Burton Dassett Hills. Whether you are walking, flying a kite or just sitting in your car, the magnificent views from these hills are breathtaking.
The site comprises a series of rugged hilltops affording spectacular views in all directions and Fox Covert, a small woodland with a surfaced footpath.
Home to a wide range of animals from across the world. These animals include many charismatic and exciting species like meerkats, lemurs and otters. The Centre has a wide collection of endangered reptiles.
The Cathedral is open to visitors every day from 8.30 a.m.to 6.00 p.m. throughout the year. Entry is free but we suggest a donation of £3.00 per adult and 50p per child. Visitors are welcome to look around the Cathedral on their own. A free introductory leaflet is available in English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, and Polish.
Amazona Zoo is one of Norfolk’s most fun days out and provides a full day of action-packed adventure and discovery for the whole family.
Fota Wildlife Park is a joint project between the Zoological Society of Ireland and University College Cork (UCC), an idea originally conceived in the 1970s by former Director of Dublin Zoo, Dr. Terry Murphy.
Whatever the weather stroll through the wonderful world of an exotic rainforest: a lush landscape of tropical blossom surrounding splashing waterfalls and fish-filled pools.
Enjoy the unique pleasure of watching hundreds of the world's most spectacular and colourful butterflies flying all around. You can see them feeding and flying in a wonderful tropical environment.
A focus on education is embedded in the mission statement of the cathedral and is evidenced in the warm welcome and care offered by the Education Department to all visiting groups.
The department consists of a full-time Education Officer and a team of volunteers, all of whom are CRB checked and able to work within the safeguarding policy of the Chester Diocese.
With 3,800 acres of parkland, gardens, woodlands and a lake, 20 miles of cycle routes and bike hire, plus a Discovery Centre, and a Woodland Play Park. Visit the Discovery Centre to see what children's activities they are offering during the holidays. This National Trust managed Estate offers lots to do.
Battersea Park Children's Zoo invites you to check on the monkeys, crawl down the tunnel to see the meerkats, talk to the parrots and mynah birds, on to the farm to say hello to the goats, donkeys, pigs, emus etc. Playground which includes climbing frames,large sandpit with water toys, swings and roundabouts etc.
A Falconry centre with over 70 beautiful birds of prey, and over 30 species, including American Kestrel, Snowy Owl, Saker Falcon, Golden Eagle, Griffon Vulture and loads more! There are great opportunities to meet some of these birds at close quarters, and to take some great photos of the flying birds, without the barrier of cages or netting.
With peeling paintwork and overgrown courtyards, Calke Abbey tells the story of the dramatic decline of a country house estate. The house and stables are little restored, with many abandoned areas vividly portraying a period in the 20th century when numerous country houses did not survive to tell their story.
On the north side of Charlotte Square is Robert Adam's masterpiece of urban architecture, the Georgian House, with its elegant furnished interior.
There is a formal Schools Programme linked to the Curriculum for Excellence: 'People, Past Events and Societies'.
The Trust is an award winning visitor attraction and registered charity dedicated to the conservation of birds of prey. We work with many organisations and conservation groups across the world to deliver conservation programmes, education projects and to generate environmental awareness for the benefit of birds of prey and their habitats.
Linton Zoo has evolved out of our family's love, interest and concern for the wildlife of the world.
Amazon World Zoo Park has a huge range of unusual rare and exotic animals. At the last count it was somewhere in the region of 200 different species, spanning the entire animal kingdom!
We have mammals, reptiles, birds, insects, spiders, fish and amphibians. Botany is important too.
Education and Exploration
The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.